Bachelor's program Applied Mathematics

Whether it is your cell phone, the security details for your bank card, the supply of products to shops, image processing in the medical field or a digital prototype for a car: none of these would exist without mathematics. You might not often even give it a thought, but mathematics is an essential part of our modern world. That is why there is also constant demand for versatile and widely deployable mathematicians, people who enjoy the challenge of solving problems and designing new products. Is being involved in creating the world of today and tomorrow something that appeals to you? Do you enjoy getting your teeth into a problem and do keep on searching for a solution until something has been solved? If so, our program in Applied Mathematics is the one for you.

Best Dutch Mathematics BSc Program

What is Applied Mathematics?

Applied mathematics is a specific form of mathematics. It involves applying mathematical models in order to map out the mathematical core of a practical problem. With applied mathematics, you can solve problems that at first may not even appear to be mathematical in nature. This might be, for example, a practical problem that exists in industry or in (governmental) institutions. As a mathematical problem sometimes requires the investigation and researching of mathematics at a more fundamental level, you may well have to undertake in-depth study as an applied mathematician. And as you often collaborate with specialists from other fields, you will also need the ability to look beyond your own specialization. That is what makes applied mathematics so fascinating.

Mathematical model

Applied mathematicians produce a model of a problem and then use that model to carry out calculations in order to arrive at a solution. Solving a problem using a mathematical model involves 3 elements:

Modeling: you produce a mathematical model for a practical problem. To do this, you need knowledge of mathematics and of the field from which the problem arises. It is therefore often the case that you as the mathematician work together with a specialist from the field in which the problem arises.

Solving: if the mathematical problem is simple, the field specialist will solve the problem alone. If it is more complex, you as an applied mathematician work together with the field specialist.

Retranslation of the solution to the original problem: you convert the solution of the mathematical problem according to the practical problem, so that specialists from the other field are able to use it.

NVAO accreditation

This program is legally recognized and accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).

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//I’M DREAMING OF… A MATHMATICAL MODEL THAT LEADS TO 100% RECYCLING//

Jet van den Broek

“Everything starts with Mathematics. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but everything can be captured in simulations and models. As a high school student I already knew that I somehow wanted to apply math, but how? I had no idea. I chose econometrics, but quickly switched to Applied Mathematics at TU/e. And I immediately knew: this is my subject. I really enjoyed the optimization of processes very much but also contributing to a sustainable world and saving costs for organizations. The most fun part up till now? I’ve made mathematical models for our canteen and the elevators in our faculty building. Very complicated, but I did it. My subject goes further than doing calculations in a boring office.”